Yesterday’s wedding was a long and somewhat arduous affair in terms of setup. I provided the sound system for the ceremony, which included five microphones for a band, and an audience-member singing, as well as two more microphones for the couple and the officiant. After the ceremony, I had to make use of a sound system in the cocktail area, and then a third system in the dinner area. Meanwhile, I set up yet another sound system across the property, Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma, for the dancing. The Westerbeke staff was wonderful and accommodating, and the event went off without a hitch, but doing all of the above outdoors in 90+ degree heat was most daunting!
Musically, this was an interesting gig. A large number of guests had come from out-of-state to attend the wedding, which made for a very mixed crowd. I had to toe a delicate line of younger locals wanting indie rock hits and out-of-towners asking for tried-and-true favorites. I think I succeeded, as the dancing remained frenetic until the end of the night. I received compliments from one guest on working in Hot Chip, and from another for including The Strokes and Arcade Fire, while also receiving praise for Neil Diamond and The McCoys from a couple older relatives. I definitely received a lot of compliments while the gig was going on, and even a high five, which is always a good sign!
I closed the night with the song that the band sang at the ceremony, “The Book of Love” by Magnetic Fields. That’s one of my favorite songs, and it made for a great final dance. It’s a perfect wedding song.
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
I Want You Back – Jackson Five
We Are Family – Sister Sledge
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
Over & Over – Hot Chip
Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
Hava Nagila – Ku Ensemble
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Kids – MGMT
My Girl – The Temptations
Hang On Sloopy – The McCoys
Celebration – Kool & The Gang
Bust a Move – Young MC
Good Vibrations – Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones
These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
Love Me Do – Beatles
How You Like Me Now? – The Heavy
Take On Me – a-ha
Such Great Heights – The Postal Service
Last Night – The Strokes
Rebellion (Lies) – Arcade Fire
Here Comes Your Man – Pixies
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
PDA (We Just Don’t Care) – John Legend
Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
At Last – Etta James
Twistin’ the Night Away – Sam Cooke
The Book of Love – Magnetic Fields